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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: wayne69 on Thursday 08 May 25 19:27 BST (UK)

Title: Registers of stillbirths
Post by: wayne69 on Thursday 08 May 25 19:27 BST (UK)
Hello,
        Does anyone know if there any records for stillbirths in England for the late 1940's?
                  Thanks
Title: Re: Registers of stillbirths
Post by: gc1 on Thursday 08 May 25 19:43 BST (UK)
Google Search has this, not sure if it helps ???

"In England during the late 1940s, stillbirths were recorded, though not as formally as they are today, and the system for registration was not fully in place until later. While specific stillbirth records from the late 1940s might be difficult to access in a readily searchable format, you can explore the historical records available at the General Register Office (GRO) and local family history centers."
Title: Re: Registers of stillbirths
Post by: KGarrad on Thursday 08 May 25 20:01 BST (UK)
The Stillbirths Register dates from the 1930s 1927, but it is not available online.

When I applied for my mum's twin sister's stillbirth certificate some 11 years ago, the procedure was:
Contact the GRO at Southport, explaining your relationship to the dead child.
They then sent me a form to fill in. A paper document!
Return completed form with the standard fee.
Stillbirth certificate duly arrived.
Title: Re: Registers of stillbirths
Post by: AntonyMMM on Thursday 08 May 25 20:11 BST (UK)
Quote from: gc1 on Thursday 08 May 25 19:43 BST (UK)
Google Search has this, not sure if it helps ???

"In England during the late 1940s, stillbirths were recorded, though not as formally as they are today, and the system for registration was not fully in place until later. While specific stillbirth records from the late 1940s might be difficult to access in a readily searchable format, you can explore the historical records available at the General Register Office (GRO) and local family history centers."

A good example of how Google ( or AI) can get things badly wrong....
Title: Re: Registers of stillbirths
Post by: KGarrad on Thursday 08 May 25 20:14 BST (UK)
Just found this:

Stillbirth Registers

Please Note: Registers are not publicly indexed/digitised, and copies of certificates will only be given to relatives.

England & Wales

Stillbirths were registered from 1st July 1927. Contact the GRO by phone or in writing and they will send out an application pack.

General Register Office
PO Box 2
Southport
Merseyside

Tel: 0300 123 1837
Title: Re: Registers of stillbirths
Post by: louisa maud on Thursday 08 May 25 20:23 BST (UK)
I ordered a cert directly  from GRO.LM
Title: Re: Registers of stillbirths
Post by: KGarrad on Thursday 08 May 25 20:27 BST (UK)
Quote from: louisa maud on Thursday 08 May 25 20:23 BST (UK)
I ordered a cert directly  from GRO.LM

Stillbirths aren't recorded on the regular Birth or Death Indexes.
Title: Re: Registers of stillbirths
Post by: wayne69 on Thursday 08 May 25 21:19 BST (UK)
Thank you for the very helpful and informative replies.
Title: Re: Registers of stillbirths
Post by: louisa maud on Thursday 08 May 25 21:37 BST (UK)
I had to make a phone call.  LM